Vapor saver



'l May l1 1926.

R. E. SLEPPY VAPOR SAVER Filed Mach 29, 1923 SH01 nu,

Patented May 11, 1926.

UNITE!) STATES 1,584,671 PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH E. SLEPPY, OF TULSA. OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWARD M.

LOTRIDGE, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

'VAPOR SAVER.

Application led March 29, 1923. Serial No. 628,682.

The present invention is a vapor saver ,adapted to be employed in connection with liquid carrying containers or the like.

It is the general custom, where large quantities of gasoline, crude oil, or other similar liquids are stored in tanks or containers, toprovide means for discharging into the atmosphere the vapors formed in the containers during the vapor-ization or evaporation of the liquids. This custom results in a waste or loss of such liquids which, if overcome, would provide a beneficial result.

It is the object of this invention to provide means for preventing this Waste or loss of such valuable commodities by extracting the heat from these vapors after they have let't their containers. This operation will cause the vapors to be condensed or, in other words, will separate the air .and liquid whereby the said liquid will be returned to its container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, the figure is a horizontal sectional view showing a portion of a tank or container equipped with the device embodying this invention.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of this invention, the numeral 5 designates a'liquid carrying container or tank adapted for having stored therein the liquid.

6 which is of the well known class of liquids that continually throw off a vapor created by the ever existing presence of natural heat. The tank 5 is provided with an opening 7, preferably formed in the top wall of the same, which allows for the escape of the vapors formed therein. Secured to the outer surface of the tank 5 is axial alinement with the opening 7 is a collar S that is suitably .secured in position by means of the bolts 9. Threadedly connected tothe collar 8 is a perpendieularly arranged section of pipeor tubing 10 that communicates with the interior of the tank through the opening 7, the said section of pipe or tively long section of pip'e or tubing 12. The perpendicular section of pipe or tubing 12 is suitably secured to the top wall ot' the the collar 13, the said pipe 15 extending downwardly into the tank and terminating at a point below the usual liquid level therein. There is further provided a branch pipe 17 that communicates with the bottom Iwall of the inclined section of pipe or tubing 11 at a point removed somewhat from its lower end and extends to substantially the lower end of the perpendicular pipe or tubing 12 whereby the said branch pipe 17 and pipe or tubing. 12 communicate.

The inclined section of pipe or tubing 11 is provided with a suitable quantity of metal cuttings, shavings or metal wool 18 which are shown enclosed in a wire mesh container 19, the said metallic material being retained in a position substantially midwaybetween the points of communication with the perpendicular pipe or tubing 12 and the branch pipe 17. Theperpendicular pipe 12 is provided with a substantially similar quantity of metal cuttings, shavings or metal wool 1S enclosed within the wire mesh vcontainer 19 and positioned between the point of communication with the inclined section of pipe or tubingl 11 and its discharge end 20. This perpendicular section of pipe or tubing is further provided with a relatively small quantity of metal cuttings, shavings or metal wood 18 which is retained within the wire mesh container 19a, this quantityot' metal cuttings orslim-ings being positioned between the communicating ends ot the i'nclined section of pipe or tubing 11 and branch pipe 17.

There is further provided a metallic cover or shed 21 that substantially conforms with the general overall formation of the various sections of pipe or tubing and entirely encases the same with the exception ot' the discharge opening 20 of the perpendicular pipe or tubing 12. This cover or shed consisting generally of the body portion 22 and a perpendicular extension 23 which encloses the upper portion of the perpendicular` pipe or n tubing I2, the perpendicular extension 23 being provided with a series of openings 24 that are formed by the struck-out portions 25 which are bent outwardly at an angle to the side wall of the extension.

The operation of the device is as follows 'l`he vapors thrown oi by the liquid 6 will naturally rise and accumulate at the highest point of the tank or container 5 from which they will be allowed to escape through the perpendicular section of pipe or tubing 10 into the inclined section `11 where they will encounter the quantity of metallic material 18 positioned therein. This quantity of metallic material will retard the velocity of flow due to the increase 0f resistance or contacting surface encountered bythe vapors. Owing to the natural tendency of metal to conduct heat, this porous mass 1S will relieve the vapors of a substantial amount of heat and will cause a condensation of the heavier 'fractions of the same. The liquid separated from the vapors by this condensation will gravitate to the communicating end of the branch pipe 17 and through this pipe to theA lower end of the perpendicular pipe 12 fromwhich it will be returned to the interior of the tank 5.

The lighter fractions of vapor which have passed through this rst stage of condensation will encounter the porous mass of metal positioned within the ur per portion of the perpendicular pipe 12 and will therein be subjected to a more forced condensing action. The openings 24 formed in the extension 23 will admit air within this extension. This air around the perpendicular pipe or tube 12 will greatly aid in completing the condensation of t-he vapors rising through the mass of metal cuttings, shavings or metal wool 18. The condensation of the vapors being completed the resulting liquid will filter through the porous mass 18 into the pipe 15 from which it will be returned to the tank 5, while the air will be allowed to escape through the opening 20 formed in the upper end of the pipe 12.

It is to be understood that the eiiciency of the second stage of evaporation may be readily varied by lengthening` or shortening the extension indicated by the numeral 23 and that the porous masses of metal cuttings, sliavings or metal wool 18 may be increased or decreased in volume to meet the requirements of the device. Furthermore, I do not desire to limit myself to the use of air as a cooling means for the extension 23, it being y understood that water or the like may be employed in any desired manner and that even with the exact construction shown in the accompanying drawing water may be passed over the body portion 22 when the conditions so demand.

While this drawing and specification discloses the use of porous masses of metallic material enclosed in wire mesh containers and positioned within the various sections of pipe or tubing, it is nevertheless to be understood that the metallic masses may be used without the containers 19 and 19 and that even the use of any flow retarding masses may be dispensed with, if so desired. The provision of the substantially straight sections of piping or tubing without an metallic masses associated therewith wi l perform, to an advantageous degree, the condensation of the gaseous vapors passing therethrough. It also will be seen that the sections of piping or tubing may be formed into spiral coils, or the like, to further aid in accomplishing the desired result.

It-is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim Tlie combination with an outdoor tank for the storage of a volatile liquid; of a condenser consisting of a pipe extending vertically from the top of said tank and having a drain pipe extending from its lower end into the tank below the liquid level, a second pipe communicating with the top ef the tank above the liquid level and also communicating with the rst pipe intermediate its ends, said second pipe extending vertically from the tank a short distance and then extending diagonally upward to the first pipe, plugs ot' loose metal filaments in the first pipe above and below the point of entry-of the second pipe, a third similar plug located in the diagonal portion of the second pipe, a drain pipe leading from the second pipe adjacent its vertical portion to the first pipe below the lower plug, and a shade covering said pipes and provided with openings to permit free circulation of the air.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

RALPH E. SLEPPY. 

